"I was just burned out," she said. "I'd done the two [solo] albums, the two tours, I'd had the two babies - there had been a lot of output in those years [since the band's last release Rock Steady].

"When you first have a baby your life doesn't really change. You're tired but it's nothing compared to when they grow and they're humans and they need you. By the time we were making this record my toddler was becoming a little guy and school, and oh my God, it was super challenging."

Bassist Tony Kanal added: "All of us have kids now but, for the rest of us it's much easier in the studio as our wives are looking after them. But for Gwen it's a whole different thing and seeing her struggle trying to be a great musician and great mum became the basis of the album."